Not infrequently the practitioner is confronted with the difficult problem of finding superficial veins for the injection of arsphenamin or other arsenical preparations, saline solution or therapeutic serums, and for use in blood transfusion. To overcome this difficulty, I propose the more extended use of the external jugular veins.
In the majority of thin or muscular persons, especially men, the veins at the bend of the elbow in the cubital fossa are easily visible or palpable and should be chosen. Occasionally after numerous injections of arsphenamin these veins become occluded by thrombosis and are no longer available. In some cases these veins are mere threads and unsuitable for repeated injections. In obese persons, especially women, and occasionally in men and children with poorly developed veins, the operator is at a loss to find a suitable vessel into which to inject. Even the most skilful workers encounter these difficulties in hospital